Embroidery frame press plunger head

Abstract

An embroidery frame press plunger head and method is presented which includes a pretension member which allows greater efficiency and uniformity in framing cloth for embroidering or for other purposes. The pretension member is affixed to and extends below the hoop retainer to initiate contact with the cloth or other material to hold it tightly against a work table prior to the sandwiching action of the first and second embroidery hoops. The pretension member consists of an annular shape or other configuration which will hold the cloth securely against the work table.

I claim: 
     
       1. A plunger head comprising: hoop retaining means and a pretension member, said pretension member resiliently attached to said hoop retaining means. 
     
     
       2. A plunger head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pretension member has a substantially annular configuration. 
     
     
       3. A plunger head as claimed in claim 1 wherein pretension member includes a mounting tab. 
     
     
       4. A plunger head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hoop retaining means includes a mounting stud. 
     
     
       5. A plunger head as claimed in claim 4 and including a spring, said spring positioned on said stud. 
     
     
       6. A plunger head comprising a hoop retaining means and a pretension member, said pretension member adjustably mounted to said hoop retaining means. 
     
     
       7. A plunger head for framing cloth by sandwiching cloth tightly between a first and second hoop for embroidering thereon comprising: a hoop retaining means, said hoop retaining means including a plurality of mounting studs, a plurality of coil springs, said coil springs positioned on said mounting studs, a pretension member, said pretension member having a plurality of mounting tabs, each of said tabs defining an aperture, said tabs for positioning on said studs and resting on said coil springs with said studs penetrating said tab apertures to provide resilient attachment, spring stop means, said stop means positioned on said studs for controlling the movement of said tabs along said studs by adjustably positioning said stop means from said tabs, said pretension member extending below said hoop retaining means whereby said pretension member contacts the cloth prior to contact with said hoop retaining means to grip the cloth in a steady, tensioned manner prior to sandwiching the cloth between the first and second hoop. 
     
     
       8. A plunger head for framing an area of cloth for embroidering thereon, said plunger head for retaining a first embroidery hoop for engagment with a second embroidery hoop whereby cloth is sandwiched therebetween, the improvement comprising: (a) a pretension member, said pretension member resiliently positioned on said plunger head whereby the pretension member grips the cloth and holds it steady prior to the first hoop contacting the cloth during framing.   
     
     
       9. A plunger head as claimed in claim 8 and including a transparent hoop retaining means. 
     
     
       10. A plunger head as claimed in claim 8 whereby a portion of said plunger head is formed from a transparent material.